Tag: new balance

The New Balance Fuelcell TC is a shoe I’ve wanted to try since it first came out.

The New Balance Fuelcell TC is designed to be the carbon plated New Balance shoe. Unlike the New Balance 5280, which is designed for racing the mile, the New Balance Fuelcell TC is designed for training and racing a marathon. But how would it compare?

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New Balance 1080 v10 Shoe Review

New Balance has done a lot of great things with their shoes in 2019. From the New Balance Fuelcell Rebel to the New Balance 880, I’ve been a fan of pretty much everything they’re put out. I’ve run off and on in the New Balance 1080 for a few years. TheNew Balance 1080 v10 is very different than previous versions but in a good way. When someone asks: did my shoe change much, the answer is usually no. When someone asks did the New Balance 1080 change much, the answer is yes, it did by a lot.

Every aspect of the newest 1080 had to be better than it was before.

New Balance 1080 v10 Quick Facts:

Weight: 8.9

Heel to Toe Drop: 8 mm

New Balance 1080 v10 Fit:

The upper of the New Balance 1080 v10 is entirely different from previous versions. It’s still an engineered knit upper, but now with it’s been designed with a custom computer modeling technique called “reaction-diffusion.” What does that mean? The upper creates different stretches within the same fabric.

New Balance calls this new fabric, “Hypoknit.” The Hypoknit is designed to support all the way around the shoe as well as be flexible for a more customizable fit. Before Hypoknit, if you wanted a stretchy material as well as breathable, you would have to use completely different fabrics. Now it can all be done together on one machine.

All of this to say, the upper is now one material.

One issue with the New Balance 1080 was the heel counter. Some felt as though the heel counter was too thin and sharp. The 3d heel counter of the New Balance 1080 v10 has been redesigned and is slimmer and less rigid. It also flairs up, so it doesn’t bother the Achilles.

I’ve worn anywhere between a 10-11 wide in the New Balance 1080 and I found the 10.5 to fit well. I appreciate the wide toe box, New Balance is well known for.

New Balance 1080 v10 Ride:

Like the previous version of the New Balance 1080, the New Balance 1080 v10 uses a full-length fresh foam. New Balance Fresh Foam is known for its softness like a sponge. For the 10th version, New Balance has created “Fresh Foam X.” Fresh Foam X is a new cushion that has more cushioning and energy return. Compared to previous versions of New Balance 1080, the Balance 1080 v10 is much softer mile after mile.

If you flip over the New Balance 1080 v10, you’ll also notice the change to the bottom of the shoe. Now, it features blown rubber outsole lug segments. These blown outsole lug segments help provide the New Balance 1080 v10, traction as well as easier flex.

New Balance 1080 v10 Conclusion:

I think the New Balance 1080 v10 is one of the best-updated shoes of 2019. It’s lighter, more cushioned, and more responsive. It will remain a daily trainer for me and I’m fairly certain this will be a shoe I go through more than one of the New Balance 1080 v10.

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New Balance 890v7 Shoe Review:

The New Balance 890v7 was the last shoe I tried before deciding what I wanted to wear for the New York City Marathon. While I like the New Balance 890v7, it feels more like a tempo running shoe or trainer to me. I wanted something a little more responsive so I decided the New Balance Fuelcell Rebel was my go-to.

When someone asks: “did my running shoe change much,” usually the answer is no. Between the New Balance 890v6 to the New Balance 890v7, it changed a lot. The latest update is over an ounce lighter. The cushion is still there, but New Balance made the upper lighter and more breathable as well as removed some of the rubber.

New Balance 890v7 Quick Facts:

Heel-to-Toe Drop: 6 mm
Weight: 5.6 oz

New Balance 890v7 Fit

The updated fit of the New Balance 890v7 reminds me of the Fuelcell series. The upper has completely changed from version 6 to 7. The New Balance 890v7 uses one single-layer knit highly breathable fabric and engineered mesh. Since it’s all one seem, the top is more of a bootie-like fit. The engineered knit breathes and moves well with your foot. One thing I can appreciate about New Balance is with their higher cut shoes; they don’t tub or irritate the foot. Other brands have tried a higher cut shoe, but it often digs into the foot. The padded collar and heel counter doesn’t bother the back of your foot during runs.

It’s all on one seem and even with the sock like fit, it doesn’t rub bunions. Typically I wear between a women’s size 10-11 wide and the 10.5 fits well. Even with the engineered knit, the toe box still has plenty of room.

New Balance 890v7 Ride:

A reason I thought I would prefer the New Balance 890v7 for the New York City Marathon, is because it’s more of a speed shoe. The New Balance 880 and New Balance 1080 both have more cushion and are designed for easier runs.

If you have run in a previous model of the New Balance 890v7, you’ll notice version 7 is significantly lighter. The New Balance 890v7 has a 6 mm drop which helps to feel more responsive.

Like the New Balance 1400v7, New Balance 890v7 uses REVlite midsole foam. The REVlite foam is more firm than the fresh foam but softer than the fuelcell cushioning. Since New Balance is such a large brand, they can use various foams. I appreciate how responsive it is. I’ve done easy runs as well as hard runs and for me, I prefer it for hard or distance runs.

The New Balance 890v7 also has a lot of traction if you’re running in inclement weather. If it’s torrentially raining, I think I would gravitate more towards the New Balance 890v7.

New Balance 890v7 Conclusion:

The New Balance 890v7 has been completely updated and only shared the name: New Balance 890 with previous versions. I do believe the update is good and it separates it from the New Balance 880. The New Balance 890v7 is designed for speed and fast running. I appreciate the minimal upper and while I don’t think I’ll run my marathon in them,I’ll continue to do hard runs in them afterward.